FORK UNION − While the diving has yet to take place, both the Western Albemarle girls and boys swim teams were able to secure Jefferson District titles with an outstanding showing in the swimming portion of the event held at Fork Union Military Academy on Friday evening. It’s the second year in a row that the Warriors have pulled off a sweep.
JD girls swimmer of the year Natalie Cronk and the rest of the Warriors − a team with state title aspirations – held off a talented Charlottesville squad, much like they did at the City-County Championship in early January.
“We’ve really been working hard coming into (the postseason),” Cronk said. “Everyone is really excited and looking forward to moving on to regionals and states.”
In all four races that she participated in, Cronk was gold. She took first place in the 200 meter freestyle and 100 butterfly, while also helping her team to top finishes in the 400 and 200 free relay.
“It was a lot of fun going up against some really good swimmers,” Cronk said. “Brodde Lamb for Charlottesville and then my own teammate, Emma McKinley, they’re both really good. I was nervous the whole time but that kind of makes me swim better.”
Seanna Acker and Anna Corley also had a top finishes for Western. Acker won the 100 breasttroke while Corley was first in the 100 backstroke.
Both Brodde Lamb and Dania Jazouli were able to guarantee Charlottesville a second place finish. The two helped to fuel a first place showing in the 200 medley relay in the first girls race of the night, and second place in the 400 free relay. Lamb took the top spot in the 200 individual medley and third in the 100 fly. Jazouli won the 400 free and took second place in the 100 breaststroke.
“We have a really good team and we all work well together,” Jazouli said. “We had an awesome first relay and that really pumped us up for the rest of the night.”
Other top finishers included Fluvanna’s Chelsea Tomko, who won the 50 free, and William Monroe’s Alex Cave, winner of the 100 free.
On the boys side, the Warriors were able to outpace a very young but athletic Orange County team for first place behind multiple wins from Alex Rayle. The Warrior freshman won the 200 IM and 400 free and guided Western second place finishes in the 200 and 400 free relays.
“The 200 IM was tough,” Rayle said. “I had to beat the kid next to me (William Monroe’s Brian Snow) and I was able to do that, but I was pretty dead afterwards. I had practice last night and so I was hurting.”
Warrior senior Jim Shelley won the 50 free, and was also a participant on the 200 and 400 free relay teams.
The Hornets secured at least a second place finish as sophomore Justin Barden and freshman Alex Montes de Oca each showcased their abilities.
Barden set a school record when he won 100 backstroke with his time of 59.29. The previous record was held by current Virginia swimmer Nick Montes de Oca.
“It felt good to break that record because it was Alex’s older brother’s,” Barden said. “It’s pretty cool that I can say I have that now.”
Barden also won the 100 free and was a contributing member of Orange’s first place 400 free relay squad. He walked away with the JD boys swimmer of the year award.
Alex Montes de Oca won the 100 fly, took second in the 200 free, and was also a member of the 400 free relay team. Fellow Hornet John Marquis won the 100 breastroke.
Charlottesville, which currently sits in third place won a pair of relays on the night. The Black Knights earned a first place finish in the 200 medley relay as well as in the 200 free relay.
Ryan Mitchell took the top spot in the 200 free for Monticello and also placed second in the 100 free.
Ron Price of Charlottesville won boys coach of the year while Connie Banton took home the girls coach of the year honor.
The diving part of the JD championship will be held tonight at Crow pool in Charlottesville.
